I was still in isolation because I need socialization, as I had very little interaction with other dogs before being rescued. My pawrents waited in a quiet area and squatted down while one of the SDHS people gently herded me into the large kennels area to meet them.

I was scared, apprehensive, and had my tail down. I didn’t know what to expect. As I walked in, I looked at them with my head lowered because I was so terrified.

All of the sudden, I did something totally unexpected; I walked up to my mama and put my big nose right on her lips, waited for a second or two and then she kissed me.

I was so untrained and still so scared that SDHS staff had to literally carry me out to my new pawrents’ car.

The shelter had named me ‘Tony’, but my pawrents didn’t think the name fit me. As we were headed to my new home, they were throwing names back and forth, trying to figure out what fit me. My mama said “What about Murphy?” to my forever dad and then asked me what I thought. I perked up right away…I liked that name!

I am so very loved and I am one of the lucky ones who escaped the dog meat trade. I still have to work on leash training and riding in cars, but with the love and support of my forever family, I know that I will get there!!

My mama started my Instagram page (@murphy_mastiff.boxer.mx_rescue) to raise awareness for meat market dogs like me and for rescue in general. My pawrents believe strongly in “Adopt, don’t shop!” I am one lucky, very loved, big lug of a dog!!

Dog Rescue Stories: Layla Was Forced to Hunt: Click “Next” below!

Matthew Russell is a West Michigan native and with a background in journalism, data analysis, cartography and design thinking. He likes to learn new things and solve old problems whenever possible, and enjoys bicycling, going to the dog park, spending time with his daughter, and coffee.

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